Combined motor and manual adjusting means for photoprinting frames



May 2, 1933e H. Q JONES 1,907,072

4COMBINEI) MOTOR AND MANUAL ADJUSTING MEANS FOR PHOTOPRINTING FRAMES Filed Iarch 20, 1930 ATTORNEY Patented May 2, 1933 HARRY C. JONES, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

,COMBINED MOTOR AND MANUAL ADJUSTING MEANS .FOR FHOTOPRINTING FRAMES Application filed March 20, 1930. Serial No. 437,344.

This invention relates to improvements in combined motor and manual operated devices for adjusting an vobject horizontal- Y ly and vertically with respect to its support, and more particularly to the negative frames as used in photo-printing apparatus, reference being had to a co-pending application for Photo-mechanical printing machines, filed March 4, 1930, Serial Number 433,002.

It is to be noted that while the device is specifically adapted for the foregoing purposes, it is equally well arranged for .various other applications of power in moving one part with positive accuracy relative to another, while in parallel planes.

In devices of this character, it is desirable to avoid all tendencies of looseness or backlash in such structures, for the reason that l 2 extreme accuracy is absolutely necessary.

It is also advantageous that the movements be accomplished as rapidly as possible and with a minimum of energy on part of the operator. p

It is therefore the purpose of the present invention to provide a structure, composed of a pair of spaced uprights rigidly connected at their upper and lower ends and presenting runways in which a slidable frame vis mounted for vertical movement, and to combine with the frame a plate carrying frame movable longitudinally within the first frame.

A further feature is in the provision of racks, 'secured on the faces of the uprights, in which operate pinions driven initially by motor means and eventually adjusted by hand in accordance with indexes suitably provided, the weight of the movable parts causing the teeth of the pinions to engage the upper surfaces of the teeth in the racks, thereby avoiding looseness and lost motion.

Another` aim is in the provision of a similar rack and pinion device, for actuating the inner or plate carrying member lengthwise or transverse to the vertical movable frame. f

, Still another purposeis to provide an essential simple structure, which can be economically manufactured and readily opcrated by an attendant in a rapid manner.

These several important features are attained by the simple and novel construction and combination of parts, hereinafter described and shown in the accompanying drawing forming a material component of this disclosure, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevational view of an embodiment of the device.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a vertical sectional view taken on line 3 3 of Figure 1.

As indicated in the drawing, the machine comprises a pair of spaced uprights 15 connected rigidly near their bases by a fixed beam 16, and in a similar manner at the upper ends by a cap beam 17.

rlhe uprights 15 may be grooved longitudinally on their Ainner proximate surfaces to engage tenen or key elements on the outer surfaces of the frame side elements 18, which are rigidly connected by cross bars 19 and 20, respectively at the top and bottom of the frame.

Fixed on the lower extensions of the side elements 18 are brackets 21, in which is journalled a shaft 22 provided, adjacent the brackets, with pinions 23 engaged with racks 24 secured on the front faces of the uprights 15.

On one end of the shaft 22 is secured a worm gear 25 meshed with a worm 2G, forming part of or i'ixed to a transverse spindle 27 provided at its outer end with a hand wheel 28; Ythis spindle is mounted in bearings formed on a bracket 29, the bracket being rigidly secured to rearward extensions 30 of the lower frame element 20.

The bracket also supports a motor 31, the shaft of which is connected by a universal joint 32 with the rearward end of the spindle 27.

From the foregoing it will be understood that when the motor is energized, power will be transmitted through the spindle and Iits worm to the worm wheel 25 and thence direct to the shaft 22, causing the pinions 23 to rotate and move up or down upon the teeth of the rack carrying the frame and its elements together with the motor and its attached parts vertically with respect to the uprights 15.

Obviously indexes of well known character may be applied to the uprights and frame elements, so that when the frame has been moved by means of the motor to approximately the point of desiredI adjustment, the motor may be de-energized and final movement completed manually by reason of the hand wheel 28.

Due to the weight of the several parts, the teeth of the pinlon are always in an intimate contact with the upper surfaces of the rack teeth, thereby avoiding any looseness in action, and it will be apparent that by the combination of motor and manual means., a rapid and accurate adjustment is obtainable.

The cross bars v19 and 2() are formed on their adjacent surfaces to present key-like elements, guidin and sustaining an inner, plate carrying ame 33, grooved lengthwise in its upper and lower elements 34 and 35, the frame being provided with dowel pins or holes 36 for the purpose of attaching plates or the like thereto.

Secured on the rear portion of the bar 20 is a rack 37 engaged by a pinion 38 mounted on a spindle 39 extending towards the front, and having fixed on it a worm wheel 40, meshed with a worm 41, secured on a spindle 42 provided at one end with a hand wheel 43, the spindle being mounted in a bracket 44, and having at the end opposite the hand wheel a universal connection 45 with the shaft of a motor 46 carried on a bracket 47 attached to the lower element 35 of the plate carrying frame and movable with it along the bar 20.

It will be apparent that suitable index devices will be provided relative to the frame 33 and bar 20 on which it travels, and that motion is communicated in a manner essentially similar to that previously described for the vertical movement of the main longitudinal frame.

Itis to be readily understood that While substantially absolute accuracy is obtainable by reason of gravity of the parts moved up and down, the same condition does not obtain with respect to the longitudinally movable elements, but it is found in practice that the drag of the frame 33, and elements carried by it, as moved by the hand wheel 43, tend to prevent overrunning, in the manner of a friction brake, so that essentially the same accuracy is obtainable.

It is also to be noted that these machines are not ordinarily subjected to shock or jar and hence the parts remain in their adjusted positions.

Although improvements have been described with considerable detail and with respect to certain particular forms of the invention, it is not desirable to be limited to such details since many changes of modifications may well be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention in its broadest aspect.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a photoprinting machine having a pair of rigid u rights, a horizontal beam slidable vertical y thereon, a frame carrier slidable on said beam, racks on said uprights, a shaft journalled on the ends of said beam having pinions engaging said racks, said pinions and racks constltuting the sole support for said beam and its attached parts, a worm wheel on one of said shaft, a motor driven worm mounted on said beam to engage said wheel, and manual means to actuate said worm upon cessation of movement of the motor driving said worm.

2. In a photoprinting machine having a pair of rigid upri hts, a horizontal beam slidable vertically t ereon, Aa frame su port slidable on said beam, racks on said) uprights, a rack on said beam, a transverse spindle mounted on said support having a pinion engaged with the beam rack, a motor carried by said support, a worm driven by the motor to engage a worm wheel on the spindle, a shaft journalled on said beam having pinions engaging said upri t racks, said pinions and racks bearing t e entire weight of said beam and parts carriedv thereby, a worm wheel on said shaft wheneby it is locked against. rotation except when the wheel is actuated, a motor driven worm mounted on said beamto engage said wheel,

and manual means to actuate either of said worms selectively. Y v y 3. In combination, a rigid' stand comprising an open frame having spaced uprights, racks fixed lengthwise on said uprlghts, a carrie e slidable vertically on said uprights, a sha t revolubly mounted on said carriage, gears fixed, on said shaft meshed with said racks to entirely su port said carriage, and means to rotate sai shaft thereby to move the carriage up and down said means operating to lock the shaft when in adjusted position. y e

4. In combination, a rigid stand comprising an open frame having spaced uprights, racks xed lengthwise on said uprights, a carria e slidable on said uprights, a shaft revolu ly mounted on said carriage, gears fixed on said shaft meshed with said racks, said gears and racks constituting the sole support for the carriage, motive means t0 rotate said shaft, and means combined with said motive means to retain said shaft and carriage in any adjusted position.

5. In combination, a rigid stand comprisingan open frame having spaced uprights,

racks fixed longitudinally on said uprights, a carriage slidable vertically on said uprights to be guided thereby, a shaft revoluble in bearings carried by said carriage, gears on said shaft to engage said racks, said gears exclusively supporting the carriage, motive means to actua-te said shaft in either direction, said motive means being fixed on said carriage, a horizontally slidable carrier mounted in said carriage, and means to actuate said carrier.

6. In combination, a rigid stand comprising an open frame having spaced uprights, racks fixed longitudinally on said uprights, a carriage slidable vertically on said uprights to be guided thereby, a shaft revoluble in bearings carried wholly by said carriage, gears secured on said shaft to mesh with the teeth of said rack whereby the entire weight of said carriage is supported thereby, motive means on said carriage to rotate said shaft in either direction, said motive means constituting a lock, a carrier slidable horizontally in said carriage, and means to adjust said carrier therein.

7 In combination, a rigid stand comprising an open frame having spaced uprights, racks fixed longitudinally on said uprights, a carriage slidable vertically on said uprights to be guided thereby, a shaft revoluble in bearings fixed on said carriage, motive means fixed on said carriage to drive said shaft, means for locking the shaft against the effect of gravity, and a carrier adjustable horizontally in said carriage.

8. The combination with a frame formed by spaced uprights with rigid horizontal connections, of racks fastened longitudinally of the uprights, a vertically movable frame mounted intermediate the uprights so arranged as to prevent lateral or end play with relation to the uprights, a revoluble shaft attached adjacent the downward ortions of said movable frame, pinions xed approximate the ends of said shaft to engage the racks thereby to entirely support said movable frame, a horizontally adjustable carrier mounted in said vertically movable frame in such a manner as to prevent lateral or vertical play with relation to said vertically movable frame, means to manually and automatically adjust the movable frame vertically, and means to adjust the carrier manually and automatically in a horizontal plane.

9. In a photo-mechanical machine, a main support having spaced tracks, a carriage on said tracks, racks connected with said tracks, a pinion engaged in each of said racks, continuously locked means for actuating said pinions, and means for continuously producing reverse pressure against the movement of said pinions.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature.

HARRY C. JONES. 

